Many people love to walk barefoot in the summer, especially around swimming pools. Unfortunately, this is the most common way to pick up the virus responsible for plantar warts, which can be recognized by their cauliflower-like appearance under the skin. Plantar warts are caused by an infection with the human papilloma virus, or HPV. They often occur under the heel or ball of the foot, making them painful to walk on. Some herbal treatments may help treat your plantar warts, but discuss them first with your doctor, because side effects are associated with the use of some herbs.
Garlic and Castor Oil
Garlic may be helpful in getting a plantar wart to go away. The Bastyr Center for Natural Health states that garlic contains some natural antiviral properties. A study performed at the center found that applying the fat-soluble lipid derived from garlic twice a day resulted in the complete resolution of the warts in 20 days. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests prepping the skin over the wart with a small amount of castor oil and taping a thin slice of garlic over the top of it to achieve the same result. Castor oil should not be used on children.
Banana Peel
The most common over-the-counter treatment for plantar warts is a salicylic acid preparation. Banana peels contain salicylic acid, and are also high in potassium, so they can be effective in the treatment of plantar warts for some. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends cutting a small piece out of a banana skin to make a patch that fits over the wart. The patch can be worn at night and secured in place with a piece of hypoallergenic medical tape.
Wormwood Leaf
A Chinese herbal medicine technique used in the treatment of plantar warts is called moxibustion. This involves the burning of moxa, a wool-like substance derived from the herb ai ye, or wormwood leaf, scientific name Artemisia argyi. This is performed along with an acupuncture treatment: The herb is burned on the tip of an acupuncture needle, which allows it to penetrate directly into the wart. Multiple areas of the wart are treated at the same time using this method, which must be performed by a certified acupuncturist.
Herbal Supplements
The University of Maryland Medical Center lists several other herbal supplements that can be taken to hasten the disappearance of warts. Cat's claw, or Uncaria tomentosa, has some antiviral properties and can be taken in a standardized extract of 20 mg, three times daily. Other herbs with antiviral effects include olive leaf extract, or Olea europaea, taken in doses of 250 to 500 mg, one to three times per day, and reishi mushroom extract, or Ganoderma lucidum, which can be taken two to three times daily in 150 to 300 mg doses. Consult a physician or naturopath when taking herbal supplements to ensure there are no interactions or side effects that could interfere with other medications.
